Two incest cases reported by police

It is believed to be more common than most Belizeans would care to admit, but the crime of incest is seldom reported to authorities. Tonight, however, police are citing two separate incidents, both occurring on Tuesday involving nine year old girls. In Belmopan the victim, accompanied by her mother, told police that during 2002 her father took advantage of her on a number of occasions, but she does not remember the exact dates. A doctor certified that the girl had indeed been carnally known. Police are investigating.

In the second report, out of Red Bank Village in the Stann Creek District, police responded to a claim that the girl was locked inside the house with her father. Officers took the child and her mother to a medical clinic in Independence where sexual intercourse was confirmed. The girl’s father has been detained pending charges.